DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Led by their mayor, a total of total of 7,568 “torotot” blowers joined the New Year’s revelry here, making noise by tooting partyblowers instead of exploding firecrackers that have been banned here for more than a decade now.
The number beats the existing 6,900 record of partyblowers held by Japan but this new record has yet to be validated by the World Guinness Book of Records, said Arnold Dellosa, Smart Communications’ regional sales manager for South Mindanao.
Dellosa said they will be submitting all the videos, the aerial shots and other photographs to determine whether all of the 7,568 people who registered for the city’s New Year revelry at the Freedom Park were able to blow their “torotot” at the same time for at least 10 seconds, as required in the Guinness Book of Records.
“That’s why, we are now finalizing all the video shots, the aerial photographs and other photographs to send to the Guinness Book for Records,” said Dellosa. “Only Guinness can declare it official.”
The city had aimed for at least 10,000 people for the torotot festival, an alternative way of ushering in the new year in Davao, where all kinds of firecrackers have been banned for more than a decade.
Dellosa said the crowd that gathered at the city’s Freedom Park consisted of an estimated 9,000 people, but many did not move into an enclosed area where the counting took place.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was among those who participated in the event.
Tourism Assistant Secretary Art Boncato said Davao’s attempt to break the record held by Japan was subject to validation by the Guinness Book of World Records.
But, regardless of whether the new record is validated or not, Boncato said, the city’s Torotot Festival has already grabbed the country’s attention.
“It showed the whole world that the local governance is effective with implementation of ordinances that promote the right kind of lifestyle. And it showed that this is a city with a strong sense of community among residents,” he added.
If sustained, the Department of Tourism is optimistic that the Torotot Festival would help in drawing in more tourists to the region.
“The festival can attract markets that seek some quiet time during the yearend holidays—away from the traditional revelry. We will be promoting Davao as a place for yearend respite given our ‘island to highland’ appeal. A visit to Davao promises a rejuvenating experience during the holidays with fresh air from the mountains, fresh fruits from orchards, fresh seafood and the like,” Boncato said.
Boncato said the Department of Tourism would also mobilize its network to further improve the festival.
“We can input parallel activities that would address the needs of locals and of travelers. One netizen even suggested a ball drop countdown,” he said.